Cal Ripken Jr. auctioning off the truck he drove to the ballpark when he broke Gehrig's streak

The Baltimore Sun

Cal Ripken Jr.announced today that he'll be auctioning off the 1994 Chevy Suburban that he drove for several years during his Hall of Fame career with the Orioles.

Ripken drove the truck to Camden Yards the nights he tied and broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record, Sept. 5 and 6, 1995. Ripken also drove the Suburban to Orioles postseason games in 1996 and 1997, according to a news release put out by his public relations firm.

The winning bidder will receive first-class airfare and lodging for two in Baltimore, and he or she will be invited to attend the Sports Legends Museum Gala honoring Ripken and fellow Hall of Famer Eddie Murray on Sept. 5 as well as Ripken’s statue unveiling at Camden Yards the next day. During this time, they will meet Ripken and receive the keys to the truck from him.

The auction will be run through www.HuntAuctions.com and will close to intitial bidding at 8 p.m. on Aug. 28.

“[My wife] Kelly and I thought that the time was right, and we thought it would be a fun way to celebrate the streak in light of the wonderful honor the Orioles are bestowing on me this year," Ripken said in the news release. "We have been very focused on helping kids and building fields, and the funds raised from the sale of this truck will help us continue to do that. We had many great times in the Suburban and the memories will last forever. I hope that enthusiatic baseball fans and collectors will view this as a very unique piece of memorabilia.”

Between now and Sept. 6, the Suburban is being held at Miller Brothers Chevrolet in Ellicott City, where fans will be able to visit and take a look at the truck. Miller Brothers has detailed the vehicle.